Ronnie O'Sullivan has again hinted he may take a break from snooker after winning his third 888.com World Championship crown at the Crucible Theatre.
O'Sullivan has made the claim on more than one occasion and repeated it after his 18-8 demolition of Ali Carter in the final.
But he also spoke of his pride at emulating the likes of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry in becoming only the eighth player to lift the title on more than two occasions.
'I'd like to win more. It is quite well documented I struggle with the game and myself and sometimes this week I was thinking 'If I win this, wouldn't be nice to go out on a high as world champion?'' he said.
'I'm going to need some time to think over the summer because I'm world number one, world champion, UK champion. It might be a good time to have a bit of a break.
'I like playing but sometimes I find it tough. There is nothing better than going out on a high. I hope to be back next year. I really do. If not, then I've had a great time and loved the support everyone has given me. It has been fantastic.
'To win it three times and be talked about alongside people such as Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis is fantastic.
'Hopefully it is not the last time I win it. Hopefully there are a few more to come - but you never know.'
In typical fashion, O'Sullivan was far from happy with his performance in the final after scaling the heights in defeating Hendry 17-6 in the semi-final.
He said: 'It is strange. I know I've just won it and it feels like relief. I played really good in the semis and have been consistent all the way through.
'But I felt at unease out there in the final and never really got going really.
'It was matter of digging in there and sticking in there. The best I felt was the first three frames and the last two frames in the whole match. It is strange really. You just want to put on a performance for the crowd.
'I think everyone had high expectations for me to just blow Ali away after the semis. It was like it was all over.
'No-one really gave him that much chance but I thought 'He got to the final and he can play'.'
'The worse thing about it is I practised with him when he was 15-16 so I know his game inside-out and he knows my game inside-out.'
'Sometimes it is difficult because you know what they are capable of. I know matches are different to practice but there is always something in the back of your mind. It it is better when there is no history when you are playing someone.
'I am pleased to be world champion but I am my own worse critic as usual.'
Carter ran out of steam after his 17-15 win over Joe Perry in the semi-final late on Saturday evening but he can reflect on climbing to number seven in the world rankings, reaching his first ranking final and notching a 147.
He said: 'I was pleased to get to the final but I was disappointed I didn't perform at my best.
'It was very tiring. Ronnie made it very difficult. His safety was brilliant so the better man won the day.
'It is disappointing to come second but it's been a good experience. I hope my career can take off from here.
'I'm in the top eight in the world, I've reached the final of the World Championships. I'd have taken that at the start of the tournament.
'Ronnie was in great form. He was always going to be the man to beat. He didn't fire on all cylinders but nor did I. We tried to but it is just the way it goes sometimes.'
